Hotel Review: Andaz Seoul Gangnam (Andaz Deluxe Suite) - Well-heeled Neighbourhood with Direct Connection to Apgujeong Station
Seoul is one of the most popular destinations for Singapore travellers and it is well-known for its modernity, amazing food, shopping districts, as well as diverse entertainment options. Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, and Asiana Airlines operate daily direct flights between Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) and Incheon International Airport (ICN) - I went with SQ608 since the redeye flight works out for me and I arrived in ICN at approximately 7:45 AM. There are plenty of luxury hotels to choose from in Seoul but I decided on the Andaz Seoul Gangnam eventually as it was the newest hotel in Hyatt's portfolio (and I needed more nights to retain my Globalist status).
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Lobby
Andaz Seoul Gangnam
Incheon International Airport (ICN) is located pretty far away from the city and a taxi ride to Andaz Seoul Gangnam will take approximately 70-80 minutes. Since my flight arrived pretty early in the morning and I was fairly confident that my room would not be ready yet, I decided to take the limousine bus 6006 from the airport - the journey took slightly over an hour (which is always the same amount of time as a private car will take) and it stops directly outside Apgujeong Station which is just a short 5-minute walk away from the property. Tickets may be purchased directly at the limousine bus counter for ₩17,000 (one-way) and the bus timings can be found online.
Living Room
Andaz Deluxe Suite - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
As I was celebrating a special occasion at the Andaz Seoul Gangnam, I decided to apply one of my Suite Upgrade Awards to the reservation ahead of time. It is worth noting that the property receives plenty of domestic guests over the weekends and Globalist suite upgrades are fairly uncommon due to high demand and low inventory for standard suites. While I did manage to secure an Andaz Suite (standard suite) with my Suite Upgrade Award, I was informed that an upgrade to the Andaz Deluxe Suite (one category higher than the standard suite) was accorded for this stay. Despite arriving at the property ahead of the official check-in time, I was informed that my suite was available for an early check-in but YMMV depending on the day of arrival.
Living Room
Andaz Deluxe Suite - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
The Balcony Suite measures approximately 78sqm in size and it comes with one King Bed - most of the suites in luxury hotels come with a single bed and if you are booking the base room type as a Globalist member, it is always a good idea to book a King-size bed instead of Twin beds (unless you are visiting Japan) as that typically gives you a higher chance of upgrade. The ultra-modern suite comes with a spacious living area and a separate bedroom which feels like a luxury apartment in the heart of Gangnam.
Special Welcome Amenities (Birthday Celebration)
Andaz Deluxe Suite - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
The team at Andaz Seoul Gangnam also very graciously arranged for a generous amount of welcome amenities for this special stay - including an impressive bowl of fruits and a bottle of Champagne alongside another bottle of red wine. This is probably one of the most elaborate welcome amenities that I have ever received as a Globalist member and I think it might be hard to top it.
Living Room
Andaz Deluxe Suite - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
The Andaz Deluxe Suite was previously called the Balcony Suite and as the name implies, comes with a private balcony that overlooks Gangnam. At the time of writing, access to the balcony is restricted until safety facilities are installed - I am not sure what the reason for this is as I could freely walk out to the balcony during my visit last year, but something must have happened for this rule to be put in place. The living room of the Andaz Deluxe Suite is huge and it feels like a high-end apartment in the heart of Gangnam. The living room is where you will find a 65” flat-screen TV and a large seating area that is definitely enough for 3-4 adults with plenty of room to spare.
Universal Power Outlets and USB Charging Ports
Andaz Deluxe Suite - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
One thing that I truly appreciate about the Andaz Deluxe Suite is the abundance of universal power outlets and USB charging ports - you will find them by the tables, under the TV, and even next to the sofa so you will never have to walk too far to find an empty power outlet. Honestly, if memory serves me right, there must have been at least 10-12 empty power outlets within the suite that is available for usage.
Minibar
Andaz Deluxe Suite - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
One of my favourite aspects of any stay at an Andaz property is the minibar that you will get to enjoy - every Andaz property in the world offers this benefit but do note that alcohol is typically excluded unless you are staying a premium suite at selected Andaz properties. I have not been to too many Andaz properties in recent years but the Andaz Seoul Gangnam’s selection of snacks and drinks were fantastic - almost as good as the one in Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills.
Complimentary Snacks
Balcony Suite - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
I love the Korean snacks provided by Andaz Seoul Gangnam and I actually ended up buying some of them at a nearby supermarket to bring home as gifts. These snacks are replenished once at day (typically in the morning) by housekeeping and they are complimentary for all guests regardless of whether you are staying in a room or suite. I also appreciated the fact that a wide range of cups are provided in the suite - including paper cups which were perfect for taking out coffee in the morning. There is a Blue Bottle Coffee which is located just five steps away from the Andaz Seoul Gangnam but it does get pretty busy (as you would expect) so that is another alternative if you are looking for a proper cup of coffee.
Complimentary Minibar (Non-alcoholic Drinks)
Andaz Deluxe Suite - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
Non-alcoholic drinks are also provided in the minibar and these are also included in the free minibar benefit while staying at the Andaz Seoul Gangnam - the bottle beers and premium soju are not included but I did manage to try the HWAYO one at the Asiana Business Lounge on my way back to Singapore and it was so smooth and delicious. Similar to the snacks, these beverages are also replenished on a daily basis but I personally did not really drink them apart from the sparkling and still bottled waters.
Nespresso Coffee Machine
Andaz Deluxe Suite - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
The Andaz Deluxe Suite also came with a Nespresso machine and complimentary coffee capsules - these are replenished twice during the morning, and evening turndown. On most days of my stay, teabags from TWG Tea were provided but strangely, on one random day, I received some teabags from OSULLOC instead. In case you do not know, OSULLOC features tea from Jeju in Korea and I particularly enjoy Honey Pear Tea so I was pretty excited to find it on one day but strangely, I received TWG Tea on most days. This strange inconsistency is obviously not a big deal but I personally prefer the teabags from OSULLOC over TWG since the latter just reminds me of home.
Powder Room
Andaz Deluxe Suite - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
Located adjacent to the living room near the entrance to the Andaz Deluxe Suite is a powder room where you will find a half bathroom. It is quite common to find a half bathroom in larger suites and this is especially great if you are sharing the room with someone else, or if you are planning to have friends and family members over. I personally do not like people walking through my bedroom to use the toilet so having another bathroom is always appreciated. The toilet also comes with a washlet from TOTO and a handheld remote control which is a bit of an overkill in a nice way.
Bedroom
Andaz Deluxe Suite - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
As I took an overnight redeye flight to Seoul, I was extremely tempted to jump right into bed after a shower but I am glad I took a photo of the room which it was still fresh. The Andaz Deluxe Suite comes with a plush king-sized bed in the bedroom which can be separated from the living room by closing two sliding doors. The bedroom is also where you will find the glass door to access the balcony. As mentioned earlier, access to the balcony is currently restricted but there is a double glazed glass door here to access it once it becomes available again.
Bedroom
Andaz Deluxe Suite - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
You will find a second 65” flat-screen TV in the bedroom of the Andaz Deluxe Suite and a whole lot of universal power outlets here - there is a small chair located near the TV which I thought was pretty weird since I would most definitely be spending my time outside in the living room, or the balcony, if I needed a place to sit.
King-size Bed
Andaz Deluxe Suite - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
The bedroom of the Andaz Deluxe Suite is my favourite part of the whole space and the Hyatt Grand Bed is one of the most comfortable beds that I have ever slept in. There is a small tablet located next to the bed which allows you to control things like the blackout curtains and lighting - it is also voice activated which means you can give voice commands (in English and in Korean) but unfortunately the tablet crashed and restarted itself when my alarm was due to go off so I did not bother with it for the rest of my stay. I love technology but there is no doubt that the human touch is sometimes a whole lot more reliable that new technology.
Air Purifier
Andaz Deluxe Suite - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
Due to fluctuating air quality (sometimes caused by the change in wind direction bringing pollutants in from other surrounding regions), the use of air purifiers is pretty widespread in South Korea. The Andaz Deluxe Suite came with one massive air purifier in the bedroom and I actually requested for another one to be placed in the living room. These self-monitoring air purifiers are great and there is even a coloured indicator which tells you the air quality in the room.
Universal Power Outlets and USB Charging Ports in Room
Andaz Deluxe Suite - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
Similar to the living room, the bedroom of the Andaz Deluxe Suite of the Andaz Seoul Gangnam comes with plenty of universal power outlets and USB charging ports - you will find them under the TV, by the bedside, and even on the walls for easy access.
Massive Balcony
Andaz Deluxe Suite - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
The Andaz Deluxe Suite (78sqm) is one category higher than the Andaz Suite (which is the standard suite for the Andaz Seoul Gangnam) which measures 70sqm in size. The additional 8sqm of space comes mostly from the massive balcony which comes with seating areas for different occasions Having a balcony is great since it allows you to get a real feel of how the weather feels like before heading out so you know whether whatever you are wearing is warm enough for the day.
Dining Table in Balcony
Andaz Deluxe Suite - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
On the other end of the balcony is a round table with four chairs which is more suitable for group occasions - from my experience, this is also the perfect spot to wash down some fried chicken and cheap soju while enjoying the cool air for supper. There are a number of convenience stores located nearby and with bottled soju priced from just ₩2,000, there is really very little reason to head to a real drinking place if you are after a quick alcohol or meal fix.
View from Balcony
Andaz Deluxe Suite - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
The Andaz Deluxe Suite that I was assigned to for this stay was located on a pretty low level and it looked out to the Gangnam district. Honestly, there is not much to look out to but it is definitely nice to have a private alfresco space to lounge about while staying at this property. Despite being located on a low floor, I did not experience any noise issues during my stay as the double glazed glass windows and doors seem to be excellent at blocking out ambient noise.
Bathroom
Andaz Deluxe Suite - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
Apart from the powder room that is located adjacent to the living room, there is also a full bathroom with a separate toilet located next to the bedroom. The bathroom looks like something you will find a luxury apartment but it does not enjoy any natural lighting unfortunately due to its layout. There is a sizeable shower area that is separate from the freestanding bathtub and double vanity sinks make it convenient for two adults to share this space.
Bath Amenities
Andaz Deluxe Suite - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
Consistent with the Andaz brand, La Bottega-branded bath amenities are provided by master perfumer Christophe Laudamiel at the Andaz Seoul Gangnam featuring a scent that contains blood orange, rejuvenating spring buds, Nashi pear, and a sliver of green tea. I am not sure whether these amenities have been replaced with bulk-sized amenities yet (since some Andaz properties have started to move towards that in a bid to become more sustainable) but I really enjoyed the scent of these products.
Amenities
Andaz Deluxe Suite - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
Apart from the usual disposable personal hygiene amenities that can be found at most luxury hotels, the Andaz Seoul Gangnam also provided these high-quality alcohol wipes which I took along with me on my trips out of the hotel.
Stairs
Jogakbo - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
While the Andaz Seoul Gangnam does not have an executive lounge or any equivalent offering - I think the only Andaz property that offers this based on my personal experience is the Andaz Xintiandi, Shanghai - it does have a fantastic happy hour offer which runs daily from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. There is also a live DJ performance on Fridays and Saturdays from 7:30 PM til late if that is something that you fancy.
Interiors
Jogakbo - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
I really like the interiors at Jogakbo and this beautiful light-filled space is perfect for winding down after a long day of work (if you are so fortunate to stay here on a corporate visit) or after just lazing around like I did.
Champagne and Canapés
Jogakbo - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
Champagne (not just sparkling wine) is offered as part of the Andaz Happy Hour promotion and it was only priced at ₩10,000 per glass during my visit. I also received some complimentary canapes but I ordered the delicious calamari which was a great choice. As I have mentioned earlier, there area no lack of cheap drinking options in Seoul (especially when a bottle of soju retails for under S$2 in convenience stores) but if you are looking for a nice place to relax or a space that is conducive enough to hold a proper conversation, Jogakbo at the Andaz Seoul Gangnam is a great place for that - even if you are not an in-house guest.
Interiors
Jogakbo - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
As a World of Hyatt Globalist member, complimentary breakfast at Jogakbo was included in my stay - if you do not have any significant status in the World of Hyatt program, it is worth checking with a Globalist friend whether they have any Guest of Honor awards to spare as that will allow you to enjoy the full suite of on-property benefits like complimentary breakfast, guaranteed 4:00 PM late checkout, and space-available upgrades up to a suite.
Breakfast Buffet
Jogakbo - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
Now the selection of items at Jogakbo during breakfast is decent but it’s not extremely extensive but with that being said, I have found the quality of dishes here to be fantastic. There is a good spread featuring both local and Western dishes and for those traveling with children, you would be happy to know that there is even a small dedicated area for kids - I could not resist getting the tater tots from this said section as that is definitely my kind of food.
Breakfast Buffet
Jogakbo - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
There is also a selection of Korean dishes available from the buffet section and I enjoyed the banchan (small side dishes) which rotate daily. The food in Seoul is great but the hotel breakfast at the Andaz Seoul Gangnam is honestly good - I would wake up early (regardless of what time I slept the night before) just to make down in time to enjoy this sumptuous breakfast spread every morning. If you do not have any elite status in the World of Hyatt program, book a Hyatt Privé rate through a luxury travel advisor like ClassicTravel.com will allow you to enjoy complimentary breakfast for two and USD 100 property credit that you can utilise during your stay.
Korean Stews at Breakfast Buffet
Jogakbo - Andaz Seoul Gangnam
I enjoyed the Korean stews every morning at Jogakbo and I cannot remember the last time I had such a solid breakfast from the buffet at the hotel. The Andaz Seoul Gangnam is located in Gangnam and it is a short stroll away from Sinsa-Dong where you will find the coolest cafes and restaurants. It is also just a stone’s throw away from one of the most popular shopping malls in Seoul - Hyundai Department Store Apgujeong. With that being said, if you are planning to visit touristy places in the city, you will have to pass through Myeong-dong if you are taking the subway each time. The location of the Andaz Seoul Gangnam might not be for everyone but if you appreciate staying in a polished neighborhood and do not mind spending ten more minutes on the subway each time, it is a fantastic property that offers so much more than just comfortable accommodation.
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